I’m in a good place right now. I have most of my tax info together (I’m just waiting for a few things before having them done). I finished the first draft of my book, and did 3 revisions already. It’s darker than my usual, but I like it a lot – enough that I decided to make it a series. I expect to do at least 3 more, and I already have ideas for my next couple of books. I’ll probably still have a dog and/or cat in a book – just because I like dogs and cats. But the animals won’t be a major part of the story. They will matter, though. Pets always matter.

We’ve switched it up a bit at Magical Musings, too, adding a Friday Finds on Fridays, in which we share free books, 99 cent books, specials, contests and books we recommend. If you’d like to submit a book that fits any of this, we have a submission form. We’ve also added new bloggers, including Zoe Dawson, who’s in a couple of box sets with me.

Last year, I was in a bit of a funk. Bad things were happening to friends – and my dog (who we still miss). So it’s good to feel happy again. Life is good!

In my work-in-progress, every chapter starts with a positive quote from one character to another character. To give me ideas, I’ve been looking up quotes, and I found this poem. It won’t fit in my book, but it inspires me. It makes me want to be better.

I’ve already blown all my resolutions for the year – partly because I pulled a muscle, which put a temporary halt to my exercise resolutions. (I’m better now, but I’m taking it easy until I’m sure that it’s healed.) And I’ve stopped others, partly because life got in my way and partly because, well, I just did. But I’m not beating myself up for any of this. I think wanting to be better in any way – or every way – is good. That if you want it and think about it, some of it stays with you.

I probably won’t keep all of the promises of the poem below, but I’m taking it to heart, and I hope some of it stays with me, too.

Promise Yourself

by Christian D. Larson

To be so strong that nothing
can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity
to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel
that there is something in them
To look at the sunny side of everything
and make your optimism come true.

To think only the best, to work only for the best,
and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others
as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past
and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times
and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,
and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world,
not in loud words but great deeds.
To live in faith that the whole world is on your side
so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

It’s a new year, and I wish love for you, great health, good friends, and happy thoughts. Money is nice, too. At least enough for comfort and books and everything necessary plus a little extra (or a lot extra). Rascal Flatts says it much better, so I wish all of this for you:

It’s crazy that it’s nearly the end of the year. Christmas is almost here, and I’m halfway through my new romance with mystery. I’m loving it, but I missed writing a Christmas book this year! I was planning on doing one every year, but maybe I’ll do two this next year. But for now, I’m very pleased that Christmas at Angel Lake is Book of the Day at Ereader News Today. If you haven’t read it, it’s one of my favorite books that I’ve written.

For next year, I might do one with a murder in it. And some humor. I’ll see how I feel.

This last summer, I’ve been busy working on two novellas for box sets: The Halloween Prince for Entranced: A Halloween Box Set and Dragon Mama Blues for Paranormally Yours: A Box Set. Then my husband and I went overseas for the first time (except for a Caribbean cruise, which I don’t think counts). We went to England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. I came back with a whopping case of jetlag and a feeling that I wanted to do something different. So now I’m starting on a slightly new journey: a serial of three novellas that will be grittier than my normal books, with a bit of mystery mixed in with romance and everyday life.

I started my career by writing mysteries that were published in print magazines. But then I became distracted by romance. So this will combine both elements. Once I get this out of the way, I think I will go back to my Rescued Hearts books, but I’m looking forward to my new project!

On Tuesday, October 14, you’re invited to the Facebook release party for Entranced: A Halloween Box Set, along with Mary Hughes, Michelle Diener, Dale Mayer, Liz Kreger and Edie Ramer – all Magical Musings’ authors – plus Lori Handeland, Nancy Haddock, Elle J Rossi, and Leigh Morgan. It’s going to be a blast! Lots of giveaways. Lots of fun. The hours are from 3:30pm – 7:30pm EDT. The box set is 99 cents (US) – down from $5.99!

Even if you can’t go, check out the great stories!

Holiday Feast from NY Times, USA Today and bestselling, award-winning authors. Nine exciting stories of romance and mystery, paranormal and contemporary, magical and mystical, ranging in lengths from novellas to short page-turning stories.

Escape to worlds featuring a vampire in love with a human, a powerful telekinetic, a secret lover, a spirit seer, a master magician, a wizard prince, a paranormal ass-kicker, and more.

When Midnight Comes — Lori Handeland
Visit the streets of 19th century New York in a novella based on the legend of the Jack O Lantern. Newly dead Jack Keegan may be doomed to wander the earth forever with only a lantern to light his way unless he atones for the sins of a lifetime. His love for Lucia Casale may be the only thing that can save him.

Midday Masquerade — Leigh Morgan
Can a mask help two lost and lonely people release their inner desires and find love strong enough to vanquish an ancient family curse?

Sian’s Solution — Dale Mayer
Sometimes the depth of love is only understood when it is lost forever… When a vampire discovers the human man she loves has been captured and hung in a blood farm, she goes against her own kind and risks everything to save him.

Breaking Out — Michelle Diener
Imprisoned in a secret facility, powerful telekinetic Kelli Barrack and two other ‘special’ inmates grab a chance to escape, only to confront their worst nightmares on the outside.

The Halloween Prince — Edie Ramer
A sudden storm, a broken van, and a ghost dog take widowed Sarah Lowtower to a cabin in the Wisconsin countryside and an intriguing man who becomes her secret lover. But when he becomes the Halloween Prince, everything changes.

Medium Rare — Nancy Haddock
The ghosts of St. Augustine are spooked, and spirit seer Colleen Cotton must team with a by-the-book paranormal investigator to save them all, or risk losing her own great grandfather’s spirit forever.

Feel the Magic — Liz Kreger
Jenna Carmichael is harnessing the magic of the full moon on All Hallow’s Night in a tricky transformation to earn her Master level, when the past comes back to haunt her.

Masked Attraction — Mary Hughes
Daniel Light loved Zoe Blackwood when he was a gangly dork. Now a powerful wizard prince, a masked ball gives Daniel a new chance to woo her. Coming between them is an ancient parchment with a deadly prophecy.

Midnight Masque — Elle J Rossi
Bar owner and paranormal ass-kicker, Josie Hawk, stresses over her vampire lover meeting her vampire-hunting father, while at her stars-of-country-music masquerade, supernatural forces escalate to code red. If she doesn’t unmask the insidious evil, the party could turn into a mass funeral.

But don’t buy it yet! Paranormally Yours: A Boxed Set is selling for $5.99 but we plan to lower it to 99 cents on Sept. 15. If you’re on my newsletter list, you’ll be notified. And if you aren’t, I hope you’ll sign up for it. Here’s the scoop on the box set:

Eight paranormal and fantasy romances from USA Today, B&N and Amazon bestselling authors for one great price! Indulge yourself with stories of romance, suspense, mystery, urban fantasy, or adventure. Whether you like ghosts, vampires, witches, werewolves, dragons, fae, jinn or a trip through a portal on the back of a very special horse, this set will delight and entertain.

This Blood – Alisha Basso, Amazon bestselling author

Grace finds herself the keeper of tremendous power and now the underworld is out to get her. Seth is a monster on the hunt and his prey has never been more seductive. While Graces’ powers will ensure his leadership in the underworld, her beauty will make her captivity a pleasure.

In this world gone mad……Lily’s biggest challenge is to survive. A grumpy werewolf client is the least of witch caterer Lily Starbuck’s worries when her partner is murdered. To make matters worse, the Fairy Dust Administration dust hounds are hot on her partner’s trail, sniffing around for illegal dust.

Raver – Candace Carrabus, Amazon bestselling author

Lauren thought she could call Cirq’s missing horses and return to Earth before anyone noticed. Now, she’s fighting giant venomous birds, a hostile queen, and the unfamiliar yearnings of her heart. Time is running out and conspiracy threatens from all sides. Can she return Cirq’s horses before it’s too late?

Soul of a Vampire – Lauralynn Elliott

Nikolas longs for his soul as the darkness in him tries to take over. Tessa searches for a way to help Nikolas before it’s too late. Together they fight physical and emotional battles in their quest for the one thing that could allow them to be together. Will they make it before time runs out?

In Cassie’s Corner – Dale Mayer, USA Today bestselling author

Faith and loyalty are tested as a young woman learns what it is to believe – in herself, in her friends, and in life after death.

Love my Dragon Mama Blues cover!

Dragon Mama Blues – Edie Ramer, USA Today bestselling author

Jin Long is in love and pregnant…and a dragon turned into a woman. But someone knows what she is and wants her for himself. She steals away to her dragon son in Nashville. Her lover follows her…and so does trouble.

Black Diamond Jinn – Mary Hughes

The Y12 doom is real. Government witch Amaia Jones has the spreadsheet to prove it. Amaia turns to Rafe, a stunning jinni, for help. He proposes Venus magic, the very thing that killed her parents’ love. But the world is ending, tonight, unless she takes drastic action.

The Mating – Nicky Charles, Smashwords and B&N bestselling author

Elise had no idea when she came home that day that she’d end up mated to a complete stranger. A new Alpha and the need for an alliance between packs have made her a pawn.

I love good news! Hearts in Motion is one of the featured books at My Romance Reads. Romance Reads Book Club sends emails with notices of free and bargain books straight to your email. If you’re an avid reader like I am, it’s great to get their emails every day.

My other good news is that Romance Super Bundle II: Second Chances – the bundle that was on the USA Today bestseller list – is 100 in paid Kindle today! The lower numbers started yesterday. We haven’t done any special promotion, and we have no idea how it happened, but we’re happy. One of my co-authors on the bundle just said, “Keep your fingers crossed! Momma needs a NYT to go with her USA Today.” LOL

My last piece of news is that I just finished going over the last edit of my novella, Dragon Mama Blues. I have to read it once more before sending to Zoe Dawson for the paranormal bundle that it’s in. This was a tough novella – perhaps because I’ve been writing contemporary romances and kept wanting to turn this into a relationship book. But I’m happy with the result and think my readers will be happy, too.